«This wasn't what I was aiming at,» Alexander says while we get ready for lunch. A late lunch, but it was worth the wait.

«Yes, sure,» I chuckle.

​​

«For real!»

«Then what did you want? To have a cold bath together?»

«No, I was distracted when you looked at me with such an expression... But I actually wanted you to meet a person.»

«One of my old helpers, maybe?»

I've met some of them during my stay, so it wouldn't be such a surprise.

«Oh, I guess you can say that. There's also one of your closest assistants. But not just him.»

As I follow Alexander in one of the resting rooms on the first floor, I see an old face that is even older now. Yet, even with the grown beard to hide his wrinkles and the eyes tired from years of serving and campaigns, he has the same calm elegance.

«General!» I shout, feeling like the teenager Theodora who would ask him for advice before trying a new strategy.

He's one of the figures in my youth that influenced me the most.

Also, it's thanks to him that I learned how to apply war tactics to other fields such as business. He showed me how to exploit human traits, all while reminding me that people are all different from each other.

«Oh,» I moan while tears start flowing on my cheeks.

The last time I saw the General, he was escorting my brother out of Polis. They were headed to Asteria, to a place I had no clues about. All for their security.

What a stupid move from my side.

«And my brother?» I murmur, trying to wipe the tears and stop crying. But it's impossible.

Now, I want to know. Even if it's painful. Even if not all my questions are answered.

«What happened?»

«He's here,» the General says, still in shock. Then, he remembers his manners and kneels in front of me. «My Queen.»

«I am no Queen now. I'm the Governor of Polis, just that.»

He gets up, a bit embarrassed and a bit wary of Alexander. His knees aren't how they used to be. Now it takes him some time to get up and return standing. Years have done their work on him.

«I'm... sorry,» he stutters.

«There will be no consequences,» I sigh.

It's not the first time that someone falls at my feet calling me Queen.

Not to mention that Alexander does the same every time he's a bit drunk and we're alone. He can't punish anyone for that: it would be hypocritical.

«Here were?» I murmur, looking around.

Then, a young man walks into the room from the french window.

«The gardens are still beautiful,» he says.

His voice is different, deeper. His shoulders are broader, and he's taller.

But I can recognise him, even with the short beard he keeps, maybe to hide his identity.

«We couldn't tell you earlier,» Alexander says, but I don't register his words because I'm running towards the window.

I grab the young man's shoulder and stare at him in awe. He's grown up so much!

«Sister...» he whispers, happy and frightened at the same time. «Is it really you?»

I nod, and his hands caress my face.

«I missed you,» he says, dragging me in a tight hug.

Even with such a manly face and body, he's still my little brother.

«I've missed you so much!» he repeats while sobbing.

«How... How?» I ask when I can talk again.

I turn to Alexander and the General, already talking like friends.

«It wasn't hard to find him as much as to keep him safe,» Alexander sighs. «I'm sorry if I didn't tell you before.»

«Even my own spies couldn't find a trace,» I murmur. «I thought you were dead.»

«We escaped Asteria's clutches just in time,» the General explains. «After receiving a warning note, I packed our things. We got lost and travelled the world for years, hiding from Asteria. When they forgot about us, we came back to Polis, and we found a flourishing city with a faraway Governor.»

I guide my brother to the sofa, and we sit down, still holding hands.

«We live under false identities, so we couldn't risk getting too close to the Palace,» he sighs. «I wanted to see you, sister, but uncle said not to rush.»

«Uncle?» I murmur, old ghosts breathing on my neck.

«Oh, that's what I call the General. Since we're pretending to be family.»

«Wouldn't it be fit to call him grandpa?» I chuckle.

«It seemed a bit rude ten years ago,» he murmurs.

I reach out to his hair and mess it up. Then, I peck his forehead and observe his red cheeks. It's always the same child, even if he's now grown up.

«Look at you,» I say. «Who knows how many hearts you steal every day, ah?»

Then, I remember the sated panther that could glare at us for being this friendly. We're both adults, in the end. But my brother is my brother!

I glance at Alexander and find him relaxed. A sweet smile lingers on his lips, and he grins when our eyes meet. He's happy to see my brother, apparently.

«Then, you came here today,» I say, trying to bring the conversation back on track.

«Well, we were invited,» the General admits. «His highness found us.»

He knows Alexander's identity.

«I was quite surprised to meet him again,» he continues. «Ten years didn't make such a difference for a young man like your highness.»

Alexander just shrugs. If it were anyone else in front of him, he might have hinted it was his wife's love that keeps him young. But he's being proper this once in his life.

«You met after the war?»

«While we were fleeing. It was then that I was warned that Asteria wasn't friendly. It took me a while to realise it but observing the inner dynamics of their courts and residences... Ah, they wanted Ethiro, and we were just hostages to use for our Queen's collaboration.»